Media releases

The latest media releases from the Australian Jesuit Province.

20 February 2019 – The Society of Jesus announces Universal Apostolic Preferences for the next ten years

The Society of Jesus last night announced Universal Apostolic Preferences to guide the Society in terms of focus of attention and resources for the next ten years.

The Provincial of the Australian Jesuits, Father Brian McCoy SJ said, ‘With our strong focus here on social justice, spiritual formation and formation of youth, the preferences already align well with the work of the Society in Australia and will help inform our own Apostolic Planning over coming months.’

The Australian Province of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) has joined the National Redress Scheme for those who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

In the spirit of openness and transparency, the Australian Jesuits have also today announced the appointment of The Honourable Marilyn Warren AC QC, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria to review the movement of former Jesuit brother, Victor Higgs, from Adelaide to Sydney.

The Society has today released its second Safeguarding Children Annual Report, reporting its responses to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, as well as reporting complaints of abuse received in the 12 months to 30 June 2018.

On 9 October 2018 former Jesuit Brother, Victor Higgs was found guilty of offences committed whilst teaching at the College between 1971 and 1981. Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview and the Province of the Australian Jesuits make the following statement in response.

“To those who suffered abuse by Victor Higgs we apologise without reservation for the pain and suffering they have endured as a result of the crimes committed against them.

The Australian Jesuits have welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s Redress Scheme for survivors of past institutional child sexual abuse, tabled in Parliament last week.

‘In contrast to the bill that has been tabled, we believe the Scheme should follow the Royal Commission’s recommendations in these areas, that all survivors should have access to the Scheme, the maximum payment should be $200,000 and the Scheme should run for longer than ten years’, Fr McCoy said.

A statement from Jesuit Provincial Fr Brian McCoy in regards to Victor Higgs, a former Jesuit Brother who was sentenced in Adelaide earlier this year after pleading guilty to charges of abuse: ‘We condemn any abuse of children or young people, and offer an unreserved apology for the trauma caused by any Jesuit who betrayed others in this way. We also encourage anyone with evidence of criminal behaviour committed by anyone in our ministries to report the matter to the police so that the appropriate investigation can be undertaken.’